Bearing Load

Apply a varying pressure load to full or partial face(s) of revolution.

Examples of supported face types, such as cylindrical, conical, concave torus and so one, are shown below.
Cylindrical Conical Concave torus Other
You can apply loads on multiple faces of the same part. You can apply bearing loads as forces in radial and axial directions, and as torque to the selected faces.
Radial Force Axial Force Torque
For dynamic analyses, each load direction must reference a time/frequency function curve.
The faces may be concave (as shown in Figure 1) or convex (as shown in Figure 2).
Figure 1.


Figure 2.


  1. On the Project Tree, open the Analysis Workbench.
  2. In the workbench toolbar, click the (Bearing load) icon.
  3. In the modeling window click to select a face of revolution on the model.
    The selected point on a face of revolution will indicate load direction.
    Tip:

    The axis about which the bearing load is applied is calculated based on the initial face picked in the graphics. After the axis of the load is determined, you can pick a face of any type.

  4. Under Load, specify the numerical value and the units for radial, axial, and torque loads.
  5. Use the Radial Direction and Span fields to adjust load direction.
    Note: You can also adjust the load direction using the Degree field or by entering a reference XYZ vector direction.
  6. Specify the Load span angle.
    Note: Valid load span angles are 10 to 180 degrees.
  7. Click Apply.

    The load is applied as a pressure, whose magnitude is spread using a sinusoidal distribution over the Load span angle. In Non-linear Structural analysis, bearing pressure is assumed to be a follower load as it follows the Part geometry change when large deformations occur. Pressure always remains normal to the deformed face of a Part.